The City Health Office is more than ready to provide medical assistance to the faithful who will troop enmasse to Abong-Abong in Pasonanca for their Lenten Season tradition.

No less than City Health Officer Dr Rodelin Agbulos gave the assurance yesterday morning during the regular press briefing held at City Hall.

According to the health officer, health teams composed of several medical personnel have already been deployed to the Cesar Climaco Park to attend to patients who might need medical assistance from April 1-4 for the duration of the Holy Week.

This year, however, the office will not use its mobile van as had been the practice in the recent years.

“We have set up medical tents at the helmet area with doctors, nurses and emergency rescue [workers] on duty,” he told members of the local media.

Agbulos also shared that ambulances will be positioned in the area in case of emergencies.

“We will have ambulances on standby. We have coordinated with other agencies such as the PNP [Philippine National Police], the DOH [Department of Health] and the [Philippine] Red Cross.

The city official added that they have tapped some private hospitals to assist them and for emergency response. “Almost all of the private ambulances will be on standby during the procession on Friday,” Agbulos said further.

Despite his confidence with the preparations for the Lenten Week observance, the city health official reminded the participating public to be extra careful of their health not only during the week but for the duration of the summer season.

“Always bring water with you. You have to keep yourself hydrated all the time,” he urged. “When the water content in our body is low, we become very prone to contaminations and the risk of contracting viral diseases becomes high.”

He likewise reminded those who will climb Abong-Abong towards the Cruz Mayor to use umbrellas and/or hats to protect themselves from direct sunlight,

Agbulos also warned those who are not physically fit to refrain from overexerting themselves especially under the excessive heat that the city is experiencing of late.

Moreover, he said, it is very important that people remember to keep to their medication. “In this heat, we have many cases of heatstroke and hypertension,” he advised. — Claudine Uniana